Batu Puteh RCI: No further action against Dr Mahathir due to age factor
The Prime Minister said that although he believed a serious wrongdoing had occurred, the Cabinet had decided not to pursue further action as Dr Mahathir is now 100-years-old.
'We made the decision because it involves a former Prime Minister who is 100-years-old. ... in the Cabinet, I agreed that no action should be taken. If we did, (the MP for) Kota Bharu would be shouting that we are being unfair.
'... He is already 100 ... the mistake is serious, but we should not proceed,' he said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), who had asked why the Pulau Batu Puteh RCI had been withdrawn.
Anwar stressed that although the government had decided not to pursue action, this did not mean the wrongdoing had not occurred.
'It's not an allegation; it is something that genuinely happened,' he said.
Previously, the RCI on the Handling of Matters Related to the Sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge had recommended that criminal investigations be initiated against Dr Mahathir.
That recommendation was among those included in the 217-page RCI report that was distributed to Members of Parliament in the Dewan Rakyat.
According to the report, criminal investigations could be initiated against the former Prime Minister under Section 415(b) of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 417, and also under Section 418 of the same Code.
'In the context of Section 415(b), what needs to be demonstrated is that Tun Dr Mahathir had deceived the Cabinet and intentionally persuaded the Malaysian Government not to proceed with the applications (for review and interpretation of ICJ rulings), even though the decision was made unilaterally by Tun Dr Mahathir without Cabinet approval,' the report said.
On May 23, 2008, the International Court of Justice ruled that Singapore had sovereignty over Batu Puteh, while Middle Rocks, located less than a kilometre from the island, belonged to Malaysia. - Bernama
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Madani legal reform gains momentum with key bills and motions passed
KUALA LUMPUR: The Madani government's legal and institutional reform agenda continues to gain momentum, with five bills and two key motions passed in the first week of the Dewan Rakyat sitting. It included amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 and the introduction of community service penalties for minor littering offences. The Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025, drafted to expand protection for whistleblowers and strengthen mechanisms for reporting misconduct, was passed by a majority voice vote following debate by 24 members of parliament. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who tabled the Bill, reaffirmed the government's commitment to enhancing whistleblower protection as part of its anti-corruption efforts and drive to improve public and private sector integrity. She said that although the Act has been in force for over a decade, it still contains weaknesses that need to be addressed. Also drawing attention during this week's Dewan Rakyat proceedings were the passage of the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Streets, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Bill 2025, aimed at improving public cleanliness. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the amendments seek to address the issue of minor littering, including cigarette butts, tissues, plastic, drink cans, and food wrappers, in public spaces and roads by introducing community service orders as an additional penalty to existing fines. Nga said the move is crucial to instill civic responsibility, raise public awareness and cultivate a culture of cleanliness, ultimately contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable Malaysia for the well-being of its people. Also passed was the Consumer Credit (Finance) Bill 2025, which was formulated to address significant gaps in the currently unregulated sector, particularly among businesses targeting vulnerable credit consumers who are susceptible to exploitation. This week's sitting also saw the tabling of four bills for first reading, the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Compulsory Attendance of Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025. In addition, the Dewan Rakyat approved two motions: the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) 2/2025 on the Activities of Federal Ministries, Departments, Statutory Bodies and Government-linked Companies; and the 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam). The approval of both motions reflects the Madani government's commitment to transparency and accountability in ensuring sound public financial governance and respect for human rights, thereby reinforcing public confidence in government institutions through transparent reporting and comprehensive auditing. Several MPs who participated in the debate on the LKAN 2/2025 commended the government's openness in tabling the report, describing it as a progressive step that allows elected representatives to scrutinise audit findings and propose constructive improvements. Separately, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the tabling and debate of Suhakam's Annual Report marked an important democratic tradition, as it provides a platform for MPs to review the state of human rights in the country and propose policy and implementation reforms. Also drawing attention this week was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's firm stance on Malaysia's unchanged position regarding the situation in Gaza and the wider Middle East, including Iran. During Minister's Question Time, Anwar reaffirmed that Malaysia's position remains steadfast, even in the face of potential pressure or objections from the United States during ongoing tariff negotiations, which are expected to continue through August. The Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament will continue for 24 days until Aug 28. – Bernama
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
M'sia proposes general border committee to resolve Thailand-Cambodia conflict, says Tok Mat
JERTIH: Malaysia has proposed that Thailand and Cambodia use the General Border Committee as a mechanism to resolve diplomatic disputes between the two countries, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. The Foreign Minister said that if the proposal is agreed upon during negotiations, leaders of the two countries should then welcome the proposals put forward by the committee. "This is because both Thailand and Cambodia want the other side to apologise first. I suggest they use the General Border Committee mechanism because each has its strength, and they just don't want to give in," he told reporters after officiating at the Besut Umno meeting on Saturday (July 26). Mohamad said he had been and would continue to be in contact with his counterparts, Maris Sangiampongsa of Thailand and Prak Sokhonn of Cambodia, to ask for the dispute to stop. "I have asked them to stand down so that a ceasefire can be held as soon as possible, because the two countries are friends, neighbours, and have long-standing family ties. We need to find a solution together through dialogue and diplomatic channels. "So, Insya-Allah, I will try to contact them again and also some friends there (in Thailand and Cambodia) who have influence," he said. Meanwhile, Mohamad mentioned that Wisma Putra had already issued a ban on Malaysians in both countries from going to or approaching the troubled areas. He said the Malaysian embassies in Bangkok, Thailand, and Phnom Penh, Cambodia, were always open for Malaysians to report any problems, including those related to the conflict. Media previously reported that Thai and Cambodian troops clashed last Thursday (July 24) in a disputed border area, with both sides pointing fingers at each other over who was considered to be the initiator of the latest confrontation. Tensions between the two Southeast Asian countries have escalated since May 28 following a bloody incident in the Preah Vihear area that killed a Cambodian soldier. The two countries have been in conflict over the 817-kilometre border issue that has not been resolved for several decades, which continues to affect their diplomatic relations. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was reported to have contacted Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Thursday to express Malaysia's concerns over the escalating tensions. – Bernama
Malaysiakini
8 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
PM calls for civil debate in Parliament, asks MPs to avoid insults, profanity
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called on MPs to foster a culture of respectful and civilised debate in the Dewan Rakyat, free from insults and profanity. Expressing his admiration for the participants of the 2025 Prime Minister's Cup Debate Finals, Anwar commended their eloquence, confidence, thoughtful use of facts, and measured arguments - qualities he said should be emulated by parliamentarians.
